What does a VPN actually do?

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location you choose. This hides your IP address and activity from your ISP and networks, and lets you appear to browse from another region.

In most countries, yes — using a VPN is perfectly legal. A handful of countries restrict or ban them. Using a VPN doesn't make otherwise-illegal activity legal, though.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

A little, always — encryption and routing add overhead. But with a fast modern protocol like WireGuard and a nearby server, the drop is usually small enough that you won't notice it for browsing or streaming.

Which VPN is best for streaming?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most reliable all-rounders for unblocking streaming services in our testing, with Surfshark a great value option for households. See our Streaming category for the full ranking.

What does 'no-logs' mean, and can I trust it?

A no-logs policy means the provider doesn't record what you do online. Trust it most when it's been verified by an independent third-party audit — which the top providers on our list have completed.

How did you rank these VPNs?

We score every VPN against the same five criteria — speed, privacy & no-logs, streaming, servers & apps, and price — and no provider can pay for a higher ranking. See "How We Rank" above.

VPN, IP Addresses, and Online Security: Everything You Need to Know

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Top5 VPN Team·June 21, 2026·5 min read

VPN, IP Addresses, and Online Security: Everything You Need to Know

Why Your IP Address Is a Privacy Risk

Every device connected to the internet is assigned an IP address — a unique numerical label that identifies your device and, by extension, your approximate location. While this is necessary for internet traffic to function, it also means that every website you visit, every app you use, and every service you connect to can see your IP address.

This might seem harmless at first, but consider what that data reveals: your general geographic location, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and a persistent identifier that advertisers, data brokers, and even malicious actors can use to track your behaviour online. Without protection, your digital footprint is wider than most people realise.

What Is a VPN and How Does It Protect You?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a security tool that creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN provider. All of your internet traffic is routed through this tunnel, which means two critical things happen:

Your real IP address is hidden — websites and services see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours.
Your data is encrypted — even if someone intercepts your traffic (on a public Wi-Fi network, for example), they cannot read it.

In practical terms, a VPN makes it significantly harder for third parties to monitor, log, or exploit your internet activity.

IP Masking: What It Means and Why It Matters

When a VPN masks your IP address, it replaces your real address with one shared by potentially thousands of other users on the same VPN server. This process is known as IP masking or IP spoofing, and it provides several layers of benefit:

Anonymity from websites: Sites cannot link your sessions together using your IP as a persistent identifier.
Bypassing geo-restrictions: By connecting to a server in another country, you can access content that may be restricted in your region.
Avoiding ISP tracking: Your ISP can see that you're connected to a VPN, but cannot see which sites you visit or what data you send.
Protection from targeted attacks: Hiding your real IP makes it harder for bad actors to launch direct attacks — such as DDoS attacks — against your device.

Encryption: The Security Backbone of a VPN

IP masking is only half the story. The other critical component of a VPN is encryption. Most reputable VPNs use AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and financial institutions worldwide. This level of encryption is, for all practical purposes, unbreakable with current technology.

Alongside encryption, VPNs use secure tunnelling protocols to determine how your data is packaged and transmitted. The most commonly used protocols include:

OpenVPN: An open-source protocol widely regarded as highly secure and reliable.
WireGuard: A modern, lightweight protocol offering excellent speed and strong security.
IKEv2/IPSec: Fast and stable, particularly effective on mobile devices.
L2TP/IPSec: Older but still used, though generally considered less efficient than newer alternatives.

When choosing a VPN, it's worth checking which protocols are available and whether the provider allows you to switch between them based on your needs.

DNS Leaks and Kill Switches: Closing the Gaps

Even with a VPN active, there are potential vulnerabilities that can expose your real IP address. Two of the most important security features to look for are:

DNS Leak Protection

When you type a web address into your browser, a Domain Name System (DNS) query is sent to translate that address into an IP address. Without proper protection, these queries can bypass the VPN tunnel and be sent to your ISP's DNS servers — revealing which sites you visit. A VPN with DNS leak protection ensures all DNS queries are handled within the encrypted tunnel.

Kill Switch

If your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, your device may revert to your regular, unprotected internet connection without you noticing. A kill switch prevents this by instantly blocking all internet traffic if the VPN connection fails, ensuring your real IP is never accidentally exposed.

No-Logs Policies: Can You Trust Your VPN Provider?

A VPN protects you from external threats, but what about the VPN provider itself? This is where no-logs policies come into play. A reputable VPN will commit to not storing any records of your browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses.

However, not all no-logs claims are equal. Look for providers that have had their policies independently audited by third-party cybersecurity firms, or whose no-logs claims have been validated through real-world legal cases where they were unable to hand over user data because none existed.

When Should You Use a VPN?

While it's beneficial to use a VPN at all times, there are specific scenarios where it becomes especially important:

Public Wi-Fi: Coffee shops, airports, and hotels are prime targets for man-in-the-middle attacks. A VPN encrypts your connection and keeps your data safe.
Remote working: Accessing company resources over a VPN ensures sensitive business data isn't intercepted.
Online banking: Adding an extra layer of encryption reduces the risk of financial data being compromised.
Travel: Accessing your home country's streaming services or bypassing restrictive internet policies in certain regions.
General privacy: Preventing advertisers and data brokers from building a profile based on your browsing habits.

Choosing a VPN That Actually Protects You

Not all VPNs are created equal. When evaluating a VPN for security and IP protection, prioritise the following:

Strong encryption standards (AES-256)
A verified no-logs policy
DNS leak protection and a kill switch
Reliable, modern tunnelling protocols
A track record of transparency and independent audits

Free VPNs, while tempting, often come with significant trade-offs — including data logging, slower speeds, weaker encryption, and even the sale of user data to third parties. For serious privacy and security, a paid VPN from a trusted provider is almost always the better choice.

Understanding how your IP address exposes you — and how a VPN closes that gap — is one of the most valuable steps you can take toward better online security. Want to see which options come out on top? Read our Top 5 VPNs for 2026.